Gerald Thrush, PhD

Ph.D., Immunology/Microbiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 1990
B.S., Biology, Saginaw Valley State University Saginaw, MI, 1985.

Professor, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, COMP/Western University of Health Sciences, 2006-present
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, California State University San Bernardino. 2000-2006
Associate Dean, College of Natural Sciences, California State University, San Bernardino. 2000-2003
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, California State University, San Bernardino. 1996-2000
Instructor, Cancer Immunobiology Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. 1993-1996
Assistant Instructor, Cancer Immunobiology Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 1991-1993

Immunology lectures, IDIT module, OMSI
Blood & Lymphatics system, OMSI; Course director
Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life lectures; MSMS program, GCBS
Microbiology lectures, MSMS program, GCBS; Course director

Therapy of lymphomas with immunotoxins comprised of soluble T-cell receptors conjugated to ricin A-chain.

Immunotoxins are conjugates of cell-binding moieties linked to toxins or toxin subunits. Many investigators have used antibodies directed against tumor specific-antigens as the cell- binding moiety. B-cell tumors are ideal for this type of therapy because of their tumor-specific idiotype (Id). However, B-cell tumors often secrete Id which competes with tumor cells for binding of anti-Id antibodies. Therefore, to overcome this obstacle, my research focuses on developing soluble T-cell receptors (TCR) from tumor specific T cell clones as the cell-binding moiety, and ricin-A chain as the toxic moiety. T-cells recognize cell-bound (but not soluble) antigen in association with products of the major histocompatibility complex. Therefore, free idiotype should not interfere with binding of soluble TCRs to tumor cells. Id specific T-cells have been cloned from mice immunized with the murine tumor, BCL1. The TCR genes from these BCL-specific T cells have been cloned and attempts are underway to express a soluble form of these molecules. Once successful, ricin A-chain will be linked to the soluble TCRs biochemically or genetically. These conjugates will then be used to kill BCL1 tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.

Incidence of Lyme disease bacteria in San Bernardino, CA

A new research direction within my lab involves determining the incidence of the bacterium, Borrelia burghdorferi in the local area. This organism is the causative agent in Lyme disease in humans and animals. The bacteria is transmitted via the bite of ticks (Ixodes pacificus in California ). This organism has been readily found in northern California and cases of Lyme disease has also been reported. While there have been causes of Lyme disease in southern California , the incidence is low. In addition, an extensive survey of the local area has not been completed. In order to determine whether the organism is in our local tick population, the polymerase chain technique will be used to identify the bacteria.

• Western U intramural research grant ($15,000) 2007-2008
• CSUSB Faculty Professional Study awards ($6,369) 1997-2005
• CSUSB Faculty Professional Development grants ($24,153) 1996-2005
• AREA grant (R15), National Cancer Institute ($95,000) 1999-2002
• CSUSB Junior faculty Professional Development grant ($5,595) 1997-1998
• American Cancer Society Fellowship ($78,000) 1992-1995

• Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching and Education, 2015-2-16
• Poster presentation, certificate of merit, Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference (APMEC), Singapore, Singapore, 2015
• Outstanding Basic Science faculty (voted by DO 2018 Lebanon), 2015
• Outstanding Basic Science faculty (voted by DO 2016 Pomona), 2014
• Outstanding Basic Science faculty (voted by DO 2017 Lebanon), 2014
• Lifelong Learning: Teaching Innovation (voted by the faculty), 2014
• Outstanding Basic Science Faculty (voted by the OMSI students), 2013
• Lifelong Learning: Teaching Innovation (voted by the faculty), 2013
• Outstanding Basic Science Faculty (voted by the OMSI and OMSII students), 2012
• Outstanding Faculty Award – Student focus (voted by the faculty), 2012
• Outstanding Faculty Award – Teamwork (voted by the faculty), 2011
• Outstanding Faculty Award – Lifelong learning; teaching innovation (voted by the faculty), 2011
• Outstanding Faculty Award – Student Focus (voted by the faculty), 2011
• Outstanding Basic Science Faculty Award (voted by the OMSI and OMSII students), 2011
• Golden Antibody Award, Basic Medical Sciences, COMP/Western University, (voted by OMSI students), 2009
• Outstanding Basic Sciences Professor of the Year, Basic Medical Sciences, (voted by OMSII students), 2008
• Outstanding Basic Sciences Professor of the Year, Basic Medical Sciences, (voted by OMSII students), 2007
• CSUSB Golden Apple winter ("Teacher of the Year" award), 2005
• College of Natural Sciences Award for Outstanding Teaching-related activities, 2004-2005
• College of Natural Sciences Award for Outstanding Service to the College, 2002-2003
• Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year, 2000
• CSUSB Student Organization Advisor of the Year, 1998-1999

American Association of Immunologists
American Society for Microbiology

Publications / Book Chapters (selected)

• Lee, W.T., Thrush, G.R., Vitetta, E.S. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) induces the expression of activation markers on murine memory T cells in the absence of proliferation or lymphokine secretion. Cellular Immunology, 162:26-32, 1995.
• Thrush, G. R., Lark, L.R., and Vitetta, E.S. Immunotoxins. Chapter 30, pg. 385-397. IN: Therapeutic Immunology, A Major Reference Text, K.F. Austen, S.J. Burakoff, F.S. Rosen, and T.B. Storm, eds., Blackwell Scientific Publications, Inc., Cambridge, MA, 1996.
• Thrush, G.R., Lark, L.R., Clinchy, B.C., and Vitetta, E.S. Immunotoxins: An Update. Annual Review of Immunology, 14:49-71, 1996.
• Farrar, J. David, Katz, K.H., Thrush, G.R., Scheuermann, R.H., Uhr, J.W., and Street, N.E. Cancer dormancy VI: Regulation of the dormant state by CD8+ T cells. Journal of Immunology, 162: 2842-2849, 1999.
• Darmani, N.A., Wang, Y., Abad, J., Ray, A.P. Thrush, G. R., and Rameriz, J. Utilization of the least shrew as a rapid and selective screening model for the antiemetic potential and brain penetration of substance P and NK1 receptor antagonists. Brain Research, Brain Research, 12;1214:58-72. 2008.
• Tiwari V., Darmani N.A., Thrush G.R., Shukla D. An unusual dependence of human herpesvirus-8 Glycoproteins-induced cell-to-cell fusion on heparan sulfate. Biochem Biophs Res Commun, 18: 390 (3): 382-387. 2009
• Hubbard, S., Darmani, N.A., Thrush, G.R., Dey, D., Burnham, L., Thompson, J.M., Jones, K., Tiwari, V. Zebrafish-encoded 3-O-Sulfotransferase-3 Isoform mediates herpes simplex virus type 1 entry and spread. Zebrafish. 7(2): 181-187. 2010.
• Thrush, G. R. The Role of Inflammation in Healing and Homeostasis. Chapter 15: Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine, 4th ed. 2019. Wolters-Kluwer publishers.
• Leyva, K, Premenko-Lanier, M, Barbosa, P, Wright, R, Fennewald, M., Chan, M, and Thrush, G. 2020. Microbiology/Immunology learning objectives, pp. 73-97 in Curricular Guide for Podiatric Medical Education. American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine, Rockville, MD. link

  Abstracts (selected)

• Burnham, L.A., Thrush, G.R., Chan, J.K., Thompson, J., Tiwari, V. Enhanced infection of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) into target cells via cationic liposomes. Abstract #ST-1936. 110th General Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2010.
• Helf S, Thrush G, Ma TP. Curriculum Mapping: Flipped, Automated, and Easy. Poster presented at: Educause. September 2014; Orlando, FL.
• Helf S., Thrush G., Camberos, P. Real-time curriculum assessment. Annual AACOM-AODME meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. April 22, 2015.
• Thrush G., Helf S., Camberos P., and Ma T.; [Oral Presentation]. Grounded in reality: technology enabled real-time curriculum mapping and analysis. Association of Medical Educators in Europe (AMEE) annual conference. Glasgow, Scotland. Sept 4-9, 2015.
• Mackintosh, S., Thrush, G., Satterfield, K, and McMahon, L. [Poster presentation]. Consistent Application of Learning Outcomes in Assessment. Association of Medical Educators in Europe (AMEE) annual conference. Glasgow, Scotland. Sept 4-9, 2015.
• Thrush, G., Camberos, P., and Helf, S. [Poster presentation]. Do we truly assess what we teach? Technology powered curriculum gap analysis. Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference (APMEC), Singapore, Singapore. November 9-11, 2015. *Presentation awarded certificate of merit (best poster presentation in group).
• Thrush, G. Camberos, P, and Helf, S. [Oral presentation]. Curriculum gap analysis. Do we assess what we teach? IAMSE. June 2-7, 2016; Leiden, The Netherlands.
  *Presentation awarded as one of the IAMSE Outstanding oral presentation awards.
• Helf, S., G.R. Thrush, P. Camberos. [Oral presentation]. Should I study for your exam, or the boards? Using statistics to get “yes” (to both). AACOM annual meeting. Baltimore, MD. April 25-29, 2017.
• Pino, B., Helf, S., Dong, F., Thrush, G. [Oral presentation]. Medical school admissions: does selectively matter? AACOM annual meeting. Washington DC. April, 2018.
• Goode, C., G. R. Thrush, S. E. Mackintosh and C. Talbot. 2018. Collaboration in a Special Master’s Program Increases Diversity in an Osteopathic Medical College. Am. Assoc. College of Osteopathic med. Annual Conference (peer reviewed, podium presentation). Washington, DC. (JAOA 118:e61)
• G.R. Thrush, Helf, S. [Oral presentation]. Cumulative Exams to Prepare Students for the Rigors of National Medical Licensing Exams. AACOM annual meeting. Washington DC. April, 2019.